REQUEST FOR INFORMATION (RFI)

ONR RFI Announcement N00014-16-RFI-0013

Torpedo Advanced Propulsion System (TAPS)

I. DISCLAIMER:

This announcement constitutes a Request for Information (RFI) for the purpose of determining
market capability of sources or obtaining information. It does not constitute a Request for
Proposals (RFP), a Request for Quote (RFQ) or an indication that the Government will contract
for any of the items and/or services discussed in this notice. Any formal solicitation that may
subsequently be issued will be announced separately through Federal Business Opportunities
(FedBizOpps). Information on the specific topics of interest is provided in the following
sections of this announcement. Neither ONR nor any other part of the federal government will
be responsible for any cost incurred by responders in furnishing this information.

II. BACKGROUND:

The Office of Naval Research (ONR) Code 33 requests information on technologies to extend
the range of the current US Navy Heavyweight Torpedo (MK-48 Mod7). Particular areas of
interest include improved efficiency of the current Otto fuel engine as well as battery solutions.

III. SPECIFIC INFORMATION OF INTEREST:

See Enclosure

IV. SUBMISSION INSTRUCTIONS and FORMATTING REQUIREMENTS

a. Responses are requested by 19 August 2016, 1600 hours EASTERN

STANDARD TIME. Any response received after this date/time will also be
considered but may not be included in initial reporting or assessments.

b. All responses should be in PDF format and emailed to the technical point of
contact: Ms. Maria Medeiros, maria.medeiros1@navy.mil. The subject line of the
email should read as follows “RFI: TORPEDO ADVANCED PROPULSION
SYSTEM”

All responses must be unclassified. No classified response will be accepted. All

information received in response to this RFI that is marked proprietary will be
handled accordingly. Responses to this notice will not be returned.

c. Responses should not exceed 10 pages and should be typed in 12- point Times
New Roman font, single spaced, with 1-inch margins.

d. A suggested submission organization:

1. Cover Sheet – RFI number and name, address, company, technical point
of contact, with printed name, title, email address and date.

ONR RFI N00014-16-RFI-0013 Page 1 of 2

 2. Table of Contents with page numbers
3. Technical data
4. Technical Approach and Justification
5. Rough Order of Magnitude

No detailed cost or pricing information should be provided. Any received will be

deleted and destroyed.

e. Once responses are received and reviewed, responders may be invited to present their
information at ONR.

V. QUESTIONS AND POINT OF CONTACT

Questions of a technical nature regarding this RFI may be sent to the following Technical Point
of Contact:

Name: Ms. Maria Medeiros

Title: Program Manager
Division Title: Undersea Weapons Programs
Division Code: 333WP
Address: 875 N. Randolph St, Arlington, VA 22203
Email Address: maria.medeiros1@navy.mil

ONR RFI N00014-16-RFI-0013 Page 2 of 2

 The FY17 Future Naval Capability (FNC) titled “Torpedo Advance Propulsion System”
(TAPS) will develop and demonstrate a prototype torpedo propulsion system to evolve the Mk-
48 Advanced Capability Heavyweight Torpedo (ADCAP HWT) into an extended-range weapon.
Several technologies will be explored: Otto fuel (currently used), an Al-AgO battery and a
chemical thermal system. The following is a Request for Information (RFI) for several
systems/components to support this FNC:

Mk-48 Otto Fuel Engine

The Mk 48 afterbody/tailcone (AB/TC) contains the engine, accessories (fuel pump,

hydraulic, pump, etc.) and the steering assembly. The Mk 48 engine is a six-cylinder swash-plate
design, which is a type of reciprocating engine that replaces the common crankshaft with a
circular plate. Piston forces act on this non-rotating “wobble plate” in a circular sequence,
forcing the plate to nutate around its center, applying force to the angled swash-plate that forces
the driveshaft to rotate. The key advantage of the design is that the cylinders are arranged
parallel to the driveshaft around the edge of the plate, rather than perpendicular to the shaft, as in
crankshaft engines. This results in a very compact, cylindrical engine.

The Mk-48 uses Otto Fuel, a non-explosive, shock-insensitive, liquid monopropellant

designed for torpedo application. In most liquid monopropellants, the combination of fuel and
oxidizer produces a potential for an explosive hazard. Otto Fuel, however, has passed all
required safety testing for submarine and surface ship applications. As such, modification or
substitution of the fuel is not part of this request.

This RFI is interested in increasing the range of the existing torpedo by reducing the
engine power levels. This can be accomplished by either a different engine or replacing the
existing accessories (fuel pump, hydraulic pump, coolant pump and alternator) with higher
efficiency accessories. Currently, the accessories are driven off of the forward end of the engine
and it is assumed a new engine would require this same configuration. The horsepower (HP)
ranges of interest for these accessories are:

Engine Shaft 20 to 400 HP

Total Accessories 10 to 80 HP
Coolant Pump 1 HP (constant)
Hydraulic Pump 5 HP (constant)
Fuel Pump 1 to 40 HP
Alternator 10 to 30 HP

Due to the short timeframe of less than two years, this RFI is limited to the following
three areas:

ONR RFI N00014-16-RFI-0013 1

Enclosure
Increasing Combustion Efficiency: Propose modifications to the combustion chamber to
increase the overall efficiency of the combustion process. The changes could include:
 Material change to minimize heat transfer and cooling effects in combustor
 Increase in residence time within the combustor
 A change in droplet size/atomization over the wide range in power levels
These changes must be maintained within the physical constraints of the existing torpedo (right
circular cylinder, 18.5” diameter and 72” length).

New External Combustion Engine: Propose a new engine that operates more efficiently over the
power levels desired. These changes must conform to the physical dimensions and engine
specifications of the current torpedo for shock and vibration requirements, hot/cold storage and
operating condition.

Higher Efficiency Accessories: Propose a replacement for fuel pump, hydraulic pump or
alternator (no replacement for coolant pump is desired) with a higher mechanical efficiency to
increase torpedo range. These changes must conform to the physical dimensions and
specifications of the current torpedo for shock and vibration requirements, hot/cold storage and
operating conditions, etc.

Electric Power System

An alternative to the current Mk-48 engine would be an electric propulsion system that
leverages advancements in seawater-activated battery systems. Of interest is Al-AgO battery
technology, which has been previously demonstrated as safe in torpedo applications. Therefore,
information is solicited from industry that has historically played a significant role in the
development and manufacturing of torpedo battery technology. Development, maintenance and
total ownership costs are drivers that should be addressed.

To support the FNC program schedule, the battery system and balance-of-plant
components need to be at, or above, Technology Readiness Level 4 (TRL) at the start of the
program and be at TRL 6 and the end of the program. High energy density and efficiency during
low-power operation with a high-power capability for burst operation is needed. Specifically for
Al-AgO battery technology, a low leakage current design that minimizes the corrosion reaction
will be required for efficient operation at low power. Batteries suitable for long-term storage and
submarine safety certification, including thermal batteries used for power during torpedo start up,
need to supply power to the propulsion motor, circulation pump and vehicle electronics during
activation of the Al-AgO system. The system must have hazards identified and be able to obtain
weapon systems safety certification.

ONR RFI N00014-16-RFI-0013 2

Enclosure
 In order to maintain battery performance over the entire run duration, an electrolyte
management system (EMS) is required to be integrated with the battery and the components to
be acquired. Critical to the system is a quiet electrolyte circulation pump and motor and system
designs to minimize flow noise. Sensors may be required for real-time monitoring of critical
electrolyte species (conductivity, viscosity and temperature). A system is needed to store
high-concentration replenishment electrolyte and supply it at a controlled, variable rate. A
hydrogen gas-liquid separator with high efficiency over a wide flow range will be needed with a
hydrogen management system to control/dump the hydrogen gas generated from corrosion. A
heat exchanger and thermal control valve(s) are required for operation at multiple electrolyte
temperatures to reject waste heat from the system.

A propulsion motor that will operate within the battery voltage range and power range
efficiently is needed. The motor can be radial or axial flux, and the design tradeoffs should be
provided. Designs that minimize acoustic and electromagnetic signature are needed. The motor
shall have sufficient torque capability at low power (i.e. low shaft speed). Cooling required for
the motor shall be included in the afterbody section.

Table 1 lists high-level electric power system concept attributes. The operating voltage is
an end-of-run value, which the energy section must remain above for the duration of the mission.
All emerging technology should be at the TRL 3 and above level in order to meet future
integration plans should this concept move forward.

Table 1 – Electric power system concept attributes

Min operating voltage: 300 VDC
Max operating voltage: 600 VDC
Low power: 15 kW
High power: 300 kW
Min Energy: 80 kWh
Weight limit 1500 lbs
Right circular cylinder with a
Energy section envelope
18.5” diameter and 72” length
SUBSAFE Meet current certification
10-year stowage capability with
Shelf life allowed refueling prior to
submarine load out
Environmental operating/stowage Current
Signature (acoustic and
No worse than current
electromagnetic radiation)

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Enclosure
Stored Chemical Energy Propulsion System (SCEPS)

SCEPS used the exothermic reaction between sulfur hexafluoride (SF6) and pure lithium
(Li) to generate steam and drive a turbine. Innovative systems and technologies are sought to
improve the energy and power density of this Rankine cycle turbine engine across a broad speed
range for underwater propulsion applications. Approaches could include innovative heat sources,
novel turbine approaches, compact gear reduction, shifting transmissions, high-performance
water-pumping elements and compact non-condensable gas separation. This includes:
1) Transmission concepts capable of achieving a shift ratio of approximately 2:1 and
transmitting power approaching 100 HP during the shift in a volume of approximately
200 cubic inches or less.
2) Compact, multi-stage turbines in the 400 to 1000 HP range.
3) Single-stage impulse turbine (operating with super-heated steam) that provide more
than 85% of full-power efficiency when operated at 10% of rated power but high
rotational speed.
4) Quiet water-pumping elements capable of delivering volumetric efficiencies in excess
of 80% at back pressures in the 1500 to 2000 psi range are also desirable.

ONR RFI N00014-16-RFI-0013 4

Enclosure
Questions

All responses should address the following questions:

1) Which technology is your company responding to: Otto Fuel, Electric Power System
or Stored Chemical Energy Propulsion System?
2) Are you proposing a component or a system?
3) What is the current TRL of your component/system?
4) Is your component or system commercially available?
5) If the component or system is at TRL 3 or below;
a. What science and technology (S&T) development must be conducted to bring
it to TRL 6?
b. What is the cost and time required to complete this development?
6) If a component is a commercially off-the-shelf technology system (COTS), are
modifications required? If so, what are they?
7) Is your company engaged in producing, distributing and supporting these
commercial items? What type of contract, terms for warranties, buyer financing,
maintenance and packaging, and marking are necessary?
8) Are there any requirements/ laws and/or regulations unique to the item being
acquired?
9) What are the component/system size, weight and volume?
10) Are any special interfaces needed (e.g. electrical power requirements)?

ONR RFI N00014-16-RFI-0013 5

Enclosure